Chapter Text
Epilogue
“I can't believe you're wearing that to the premiere. You look like you've stepped off the set of The Bachelorette. Expect a call from ABC, they're looking for their next cowboy casting to woo their LA darling,” June teases.
“They wish they could get me on The Bachelorette. Too bad I'm already taken by Britain's most eligible bachelor,” Alex smirks.
Nora holds up a flute of champagne. “Amen. Here's to taking all the eligible bachelors away from straight people!”
Alex laughs, holding his stetson to his chest. He's riding in the back of a Cadillac Escalade with his sister and Nora on the way to the debut premiere of A Nightmare on Elm Street. Alex is dressed in his best cowboy couture, complete with a black suede Stetson. He's wearing a gorgeous, maroon western-style velvet shirt beneath an oversized black overcoat, which modernizes the look. On his feet are black leather boots with custom maroon spurs, adding an authentic cowboy feel to the look. The look is a little over-the-top, but Alex feels untouchable in it.
He is from Texas, after all. Go big or go home.
Nora is wearing a dark red dress with a slit high up her thigh, and matching platform heels that bring her up to Alex's shoulder. Her hair is straight, but there are red-streaked extensions pinned in her hair. Nora says it’s an homage to the amount of blood her character had on her throughout filming.
June is Nora's plus-one, sleek and beautiful in a lavender dress with long lace gloves all the way up to her elbows. Her usual dark brown hair is laden with caramel highlights, making her look like just as much of a movie star as Nora and Alex.
Their parents will be in the audience, watching the debut of their film with them tonight. Alex can hardly wait; he's not seen the final product, but he hears it turned out exquisite. Nothing excites him more than having his family by his side, supporting him.
And, of course, Henry Fox, his co-star turned boyfriend.
Henry wouldn't tell him what he's wearing for the premiere. Alex insists he should show up nude for max exposure (literally), but Henry scoffs and tells him what he's wearing is even better than wearing nothing.
The past 10 months have been kind to them—with Alex living in Nevada for the better part of the year, and Henry living in his apartment back in LA, the press has not caught on to their relationship. A few photos of them were snapped walking down Hollywood Boulevard together, but the media thinks Alex is too much of an all-American hunk to be in a relationship with a British heartthrob. June sends them magazine clippings from People praising their “bromance.”
Henry, to no one's surprise, has thrived under the sunny skies of Los Angeles. He may wear the occasional pink sunburn on the tops of his shoulders and have a co-dependency on air conditioning, but the past year has been good to him. Henry has taken a hiatus from acting to finish a career-changing partnership with an indie film production company that wants to sponsor not one, but two of his screenplays. By the new year, Henry Fox will officially be producing, and even co-directing, a queer period romance film he wrote about French King Louis XIV. Alex is excited to see Henry and the production team recreate the gardens of Versailles on a shoestring budget. If they do, Alex knows the film will be a hit.
Either way, Alex will be in the audience on opening day, clapping like an excited walrus when Henry's name is shown in the credits. He wouldn't care who saw or what they thought. The world should know Alex is proud to be Henry's boyfriend.
Alex is content with his own career; while filming A Nightmare on Elm Street was eye-opening and essential to rediscovering his passion for acting, The Running Man was a testament to gaining respect for his career. Alex spent six months testing the limits of his body, working 18-hour days at times to perfect every take. When Henry visited him in Nevada, they'd cuddle up on the couch, Henry tending to Alex's sore muscles. Alex felt supported and loved. More importantly, he learned to take better care of himself, to recognize his limits, and to speak up for himself.
Alex is brought back to his body by the car coming to a halt in front of photographers who are trying to snap pictures through the tinted backseat windows.
“You ready?” Nora asks over her shoulder as their driver opens the door.
“As ready as I'll ever be,” Alex grins.
They exit the vehicle, and a white light goes off in their faces immediately. Alex tips the front of his Stetson to cover his eyes, and he can hear a group of fans standing behind ropes starting to squeal. Alex gravitates towards them, smiling widely and matching their excitement as they hand him paraphernalia to sign. Alex signs as much as he can, snaps a few selfies, and slips on a friendship bracelet or two that have his name on them. They practically have to pull Nora and him away from the group of fans so they can walk the red carpet.
When they reach the red carpet, Alex almost loses his mind. On the backdrop behind the red carpet is the movie poster, Nora, Alex, and Henry shrunken underneath Freddy Krueger's long metal nails, looking like they're running from the giant, menacing, and iconic villain. Alex beams proudly at the poster and steps out onto the carpet.
Immediately, cameras are going off, and photographers are shouting his name to get his attention so he can look into their cameras. Alex loves the camera, posing with his hand in his pocket, pushing the overcoat back to show off his entire outfit.
Rafael Luna is already there, looking handsome and rugged as ever in a plain grey suit. His facial hair is neatly trimmed, and he looks proud as he speaks to a reporter with animated excitement.
Nora and June walk on the carpet together, arms looped together. He joins them for a quick group photo, then Nora and Alex take a few pictures together.
Alex looks at the cast and crew proudly, catching Margie in the crowd. He gives her a little wave, and she waves back. Almost everyone is here.
An enthusiastic interviewer waves him over. She's stunning, with long blonde hair, and is wearing her best green-and-red-striped Krueger dress. Her forearms are adorned with numerous spiky silver jewelry pieces. Alex appreciates the excitement and homage to the franchise.
“Alex Claremont-Diaz, can I have a word with you?” She beams, extending a microphone out to him. “I'm Ella with ‘Movies, Monsters and Music’.”
“Of course, sweetheart,” he says, flashing his best smile.
“Oh my god, we are here at the premiere of the remake of A Nightmare on Elm Street, the fans are excited to see the movie. Is there anything you can tell us about what the filming process was like?” She holds the mic up to him, looking back at her cameraperson with a huge smile.
“Making this movie was like falling in love with acting all over,” Alex says. “I wouldn't say this is a reboot or remake, more of a reimagining of the villain Freddy Krueger and a franchise through more of a comedic and romantic lens.”
“Love that answer, thank you,” Ella nods appreciatively. “I know you filmed The Running Man this year. Is there anything you can tell us about the film?”
“No! I really can't talk about it too much, but I hope fans will appreciate the effort behind the stunt coordinators who helped push me to limits I never thought I could reach. Truly, it was the role of a lifetime, and we anticipate it'll be released this coming summer.”
“One last thing: what was it like working with Henry Fox?” She leans in, as if she will miss his answer.
He wants to shout into the microphone that he loves Henry Fox, that working with him was the best decision of his life. But he doesn't; instead, while pondering an answer, Alex brings his hand up to his chest, his other hand finding Henry's gold signet ring on his pinkie. Between their visits in Nevada, Henry accidentally left it on the bathroom sink one day, and well, Alex has never given it back since. Henry, peculiarly, hasn't asked for it back. In his mind, the ring is Henry's way of promising something to Alex, and that's a good enough reason for him to continue wearing it.
Alex smirks, cocks his head, and says, “Better than you can ever imagine.” Then, he winks.
He steps away from Ella, who turns to the camera and starts babbling about Alex's answers in a frenzied stream of words. Alex knows the fans will lose their minds when that segment airs, likely speculating about what his answer meant.
And then he hears the crowd of reporters start shouting Henry's name. Alex grins, turning to see Henry step onto the red carpet. He's tall and lean in a black suit, looking like a classical movie star. There are orange and red flowers embroidered on the collar of his jacket, on the legs of his pants, and on the cuffs of his coat. Henry looks vibrant, his stylist gelling his hair perfectly, and painting his face just enough to look half-vampire and half-greek god.
“Henry! Over here!” The photographers call out.
But Henry's only looking at Alex, taking him in, an airy look exchanged between them. Nobody else in this world matters but Henry. Alex is so in love he could die, in front of these photographers, the fans, their friends, and family, and nobody would know why.
It's because he's found forever in Henry Fox.
They gravitate towards each other wordlessly, as they had discussed earlier in the month. The amount of flashes going off is enough to blind them, even though Alex knows they're capturing every moment. Good--they should see this moment.
When they meet in the middle of the red carpet, Henry eyes him up and down. “Has anyone ever informed you of how good you look as a cowboy? They ought to cast you in a Western.”
Alex rolls his eyes. “Get over here, you nerd. Let's make some history, huh?”
Alex grabs Henry by his waist, pulling him close. Then, he dips Henry, tilts his head, and kisses him in front of the world. There's silence, then bright, frantic flashes and intense excitement as photographers catch them in a romantic kiss. Nora and June are watching from the sidelines, cheering them on as they share their love with the world. No more hiding. No more shame. Just Alex and Henry loving each other.
Indiana Jones and James Bond share a kiss on the red carpet of a horror film. Genres blending over queer love. It’s better than anything Alex could have ever imagined a year ago.
When they come apart, Alex can see Rafael Luna hanging his head with an amused smile. Then turns back to the reporter he was talking to and says, “There you have it; unabashed queerness in filmmaking and in Hollywood.”
Interviewers are now screaming both their names, and Henry takes Alex's hand and brings them over to two girls who are particularly losing their minds. Alex notices they both have pride pins pinned to their suits.
“Holy fucking shit, oh my god, did you actually just–" One of the girls with pink hair shrieks into her microphone. Her partner grabs the mic and tries to keep her cool as she holds the microphone between Henry and Alex.
“We are ‘Bloody Queer Reviews’ and wanted to ask you: What about this film pertains to the queer community?” The girl asks, the microphone trembling in her hand..
Henry clears his throat, turning on his charm immediately. Alex can only beam at him.
“This film may seem like it is solely about the friendship between Mark and Samuel, but viewers will be immediately able to tell they are so much more than that. The subtle way they interact, their responses to the peril they face—I think audiences will be able to relate to the underlying romance between our characters.”
The interviewer turns to Alex with big eyes, holding the microphone out to him. Alex has to bend over a little to speak properly into the mic.
“Yeah, we were told to portray our characters as though they had an undiscovered, undetermined relationship. Often, male characters are portrayed as just good friends, but Mark and Samuel were so much more than that. I can't give away too much, but I hope we were able to convey their dynamic in a way that makes the audience root for them despite the trauma they endure,” Alex says, smiling at Henry. It's hard to look at anyone else in the room when Henry Fox is next to him, looking that good. Alex doesn't care who catches him staring. Everyone just watched them kiss. So, fuck it.
“Okay, thank you, and oh my god, I'm sorry this isn't professional… I just have to ask,” the girl practically hyperventilates. “Are you two a couple?”
Henry, without losing eye contact with Alex, triumphantly replies, “Yes, we are. Thank you for your questions, love. We hope you enjoy the film.”
They walk away hand in hand, with more interviewers calling out their names. But they ignore them, walking into the theater and taking their seats in the back. Alex leans over and catches Henry's mouth in a sweet kiss, and it doesn't matter if anyone sees, or what anyone says.
Nothing can ruin this moment for them.
“You’re quite pleased with yourself, aren’t you?” Henry laughs against his mouth. He grabs Alex’s Stetson and places it on his head. Henry looks better with it on than he does; Alex makes a mental note to make him wear it later when they’re at home alone.
Alex hesitates, debating whether to respond with his typical jovial arrogance. He settles on something softer, more meaningful. “I’m pleased with us. That we can share a part of ourselves with the world, I can’t wait to see what comes next for us.”
Henry’s lips twitch into a smile, his eyes glimmering beneath movie theater lighting. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
More people seep into the theater, taking their seats around them. It smells just like the popcorn they shared during their movie date.
As the lights begin to dim, Alex turns to look at Henry.
“Henry,” Alex says.
“Alex,” Henry says.
“You and me.”
“You and me,” Henry agrees.